Clements Ribeiro's new plus-size range for Evans

Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro pose with a model for their Clements Ribeiro range for Evans. 'The fashion industry of our age is hinged on the size zero ideal. Globalisation has shown diversity of culture and taste, but also of colours, races and shapes too'
Red dress £75 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited

'This first collection was all about learning,' say the designers. 'Bigger girls are bigger in different ways. Needs are different. I believe we have taken such inspiration from vintage clothes because of that: for many stylish girls, wintage has been the only option for original clothes in sizes that fit'
Spot flower printed dress £75 Photograph: Arcardia Group Limited

'The high fashion world is intrinscially exclusive,' they explained, 'but we feel that we are living in a post-internet age, where inclusiveness is everything.'
Heart print top £48 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited

The collection is named Swan after the designers became inspired by the illustrations of Aubrey Beardsley, famed for the Bathyllus in the Swan Dance image. 'There it was,' say Clements Ribeiro, 'a large bird that symbolises elegance and grace'
Arrow print shell top £45 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited

Asked who they tried out their clothing on, Clements Ribeiro said: 'We know quite a few amazing and stylish women who happen to be size 16 or 18. They are our personal litmus test'
Pansy print trousers/pants £45 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited

On what inspired the collection, the duo explained: 'vintage dresses from the 40s, mostly, but also Adele, who we have been dressing regularly since last year. She became our muse, of sorts. She loves fashion, loves clothes, she is gorgeours, bold and confident. We would like to pass a bit of that on to our Swan customer'
Red Dress £75 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited

The designers admit not everything worked, such as their hopes for a shirt dress inspired by 'a vintage men's night shirt'. But for the most part, Clements Ribeiro were able to achieve what they set out to do in creating affordable style for bigger women
Cotton Coat £99 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited

All the clothing shown here, including this animal print maxi dress (£95), will be available from Evans from 31 March 2012 Photograph: Arcadia Group Limited